Dash switch



March 10, 1925- A. R. GROSS DASH swLmcH A Filed sept. 25, 1924 Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

tren 'raras ANGUS B. GROSS, F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

i :DASH SWITCH.

Application filed September' 23, 1924. Serial No. 739,382.

To @ZZ 107mm 'may concern Be it known that I, Anous R. Gnoss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Dash Switches;

and I hereby declare that the following` is a full, clear, and exact des `ription thereof,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

rlhis invention is a novel improvement in dash-switches, which are iiisuallv attached to or mounted on the dash-board of an automobile, or like vehicle, and are used particularly for controlling the parking light, or other minor electrical equipment features of the automobile or vehicle.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact, and eliicient dash-switch, which can be readily attached to the dashboard; which will be inconspicuous when so attached, and can be readily operated by a slight push or pull; and will not be readily affected b v the jarring of the vehicleto which such switches are necessarily subjected.

l will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing which illus- 30 trates one practical embodiment thereof to enable others to adopt and use the same. and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction. and novel combinations of parts for which` protection is desired. l

In said drawings:

Figure l is a side view of the switch attached to the dash board of an automobile or other vehicle.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through such switch in closed position. Y

Figure 3 is a detail section showing the switch in open position.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse section on the Vline 4 4, Figure 2.

The switch. as shown in the drawing, comprises a tubular supporting member l, preferably made of brass, said member being eX- teriorly threaded throughout its length, and having an enlarged cup-shaped head 1a at one end thereof, which head is preferably riveted to the end of said tubular member, or may be secured thereto in any other desired manner. The head la is preferably c0- 55 axial with the tubular member l, andthe interior thereof communicates with the bore lC of the tubular threaded member l.

On the threaded member l is an adjustable setting nut 2, a lock-washer 2a, and at the end of the member l opposite the head lais a clamping nut 2b by which the member l may be inserted in a suitable hole bored into the dashboard B of the vehicle and fastened thereto.

Attached to the outer end of the cupshaped head la is an insulating plate 3, pref eralilv made of fibre` bfkelite', hard rubber, 0r other insulating material. Plate 3 is shaped to conform with the outer end of the head la, and is adapted to seat on an annular shoulder 11 pressed or otherwise formed in the outer end of said head, and when the plate 3 has been inserted into place against the shoulder l", the outer peripherv of the head may then be bent slightly inwardly around the plate 3 to securely hold the plate 3 against the shoulder 1b thereby closing the outer end of said head.

Mounted upon the plate 3. within the head la and disposed upon the longitudinal axis of the switch. are contact posts 4 and 5` preferably spaced equi-distant from and parallel with the axis of the bore 1. Contact posts 4 and 5 extend intothe cup-shaped head la approximately three-fourths the length thereof. and preferablv comprise cylindrical rods, of brass or other conducting material,

having their outer ends rounded as at 4a. 5a,

(Fig. 2). The inner ends of the posts 4 and 5 are preferably reduced as at 4b. 4b. and are passed through perforations 3a in the plate 3. and the outer extremities of the reduced portions 4". 5b. are then riveted against the outer face of the plate 3 tosecurely bind the posts 4 and 5 to the insulating 'plate 3. The posts 4 and 5 however may be secured to the insulating plate 3 in any other desired manner.

The exposed reducedI ends 4", 5". of the contacts 4 and 5 are tapped as at 4, 5c, to receive screws 4d, 5d, respectively, bv which the electrical conductors C, C- of the electrical circuit may be connected to the contact posts 4 and 5. The conductors C, C form part of an electrical circuit including a battery, parking light, or other electro-receptive devices, (not shown).

One of the posts, such .as 5, is provided with an insulating collar 6, mounted upon the reduced portion 5e ofthe said post, which reduced.portionextendsrfrom the plate 3 to a point approximately half the 4lengtliof the said post. Collar 6 is preferably made ot fibre or other insulating material, Aand is of same length as the' reduced `lportion5', and

of same exterior diameter as the post 5, s0 that when mounted thereon. the surface oi the collar 6 will be YHush with-that -otthe po-st. If desired the collar 6 may be formed integral with the plate 3.

Through 'the bore le.V or member 1 'extends a -reciprocable rod7,.having yon its. outer -end .a pull or-'finger .nut 7afo1t any suitable kindand..moi inted thereon in any desired manner. Onthe inner end of rod 7 within its legs''7C disposed y"adjacent to the contact posts 4 and 5. Member 7b is preferably madeof metafl,-andisecurely riveted onto the .inner rend of rod 7, but is'Y insulated therefrom. As shown i/nfFigureQ, the inner end Aoffrod 7 is reduced -as-at 7d, -torreceive two perforated insulating 'washers 7e, 7f, of fiber, .ba-lichte, hardfrubber, or the like, ybetween -which washers the 'bases of'rthe lU-sl'iaped member 7b-is Iclamped, said base havinga perforation 7g therein of larger diameter than the-.perforations inthe washers 7e, 7f,

s so that noportio-n of the member 7b willv con'- ltact with rod 7. The endi of rod 7'is"riveted over the outer face of the outer washer 7 f to securely bind the insulating*washersand U-:shap'ed member to rod `7.

Mounted 'inaopposed slots orper'fo'rations 7g 'fthe f-legs 17C A of the Uishaped member `7b1is:a-"metallic--bandi'8,'which band is llooped *aroundff thefcontact posts4 and 5l and isre- -ciprocably'-inountedftliereon. VBand 8 should Y:be .sof disposed -"'with'relatioii to the member "7b-that? wheny the rod 7- isffat the limiti-of its nutward'movement the'band 8 'will A'engage the outer exposed halves of the contact-posts the electrical circuit `between the contact :posts and.5,v will lhe broken. The bandS ishence '.recipiiocated `by-the ro'd 7 uponth'e posts 4 and 5, but the friction betweenthe 4dand *andthe pos-ts 4 fand-15 vwill be `"sufi-inient to maintain-the bandv 8, 'and rod 7,.in fadjusted position against the-,jarringv of the vehiele.- `Baird '(8 -isl made of `any ldesired conducting' material, preferably'Y copper, and v'may' be rounder .rectangular in cross Lseotion',y or of any other desiredyshape, and by drawing. the opposite vportions .of Vthe band, intermediate the .legs- 7 close together,

"the band can be', marde to .approximately en- V-tiiely .encircle the vcontact -posts'4 5,

thereby a greater contacteur-.face between the band and posts.

When the rod 7 is pulled outwardly, as shown inFig'ure 2, theband .-8 will vengage the outer exposed ends ot posts 4 and 5, and thus complete the electrical circuit between said posts,biit whteir'rod 7 is pushed inwardly, as shown in Figure 3, the band S will engage the post 4 and an insulating collar 6 on-post 57 and hence the electrical circuit between posts 4 and 5 will be broken, by the interpositionvof the insulating` collar 6.

Thev 'construction herein shown and "described `itorfms anY eiti'icient and reliable switch, in which the operative parts are thoroughly protected-from dust, air, and water. `The switch is easily attachable to the dashboard l" or other part ot Vthe vehicle, by first making a small hole-in the dash board at the point where it isdesired to locate the switch; then thenut Q'is `adjusted until it is separated from nut 2b slightly more than the thickness of the material of the dash board, then nut Zbl is'removeld and the small end of member 1 isinserted through the above hole; then nut 2 is replaced onth'e member 1 and tightened to'. securely clamp lthe body of the dashboard B between nuts 2 and 2b, thereby tirmly securing the switch in position. Thi` threaded member 1 is sufliciently long to pei'- niitthe switch being readily mounted on any dash board, either; of wood or metal, and when so mounted thereon only the nut 2b -and the finger nut 7 a are visible.

i do not limit my invention to the exact 'form showninthe drawing, for obviously,

Vminor changes may be made inYV the various members of the switch, within the scope of vthe-lfinventien, vner dol limit my invention tothe-specific -use herein mentioned.

I claim Y y l. lnanfelectricswitch, alpair of paral- Alel contact'postsg'an insulating?,` collar on one oi said postsga conductingv member reci procably engaging-said posts; and means for reciprocating said member, whereby the electrical circuit between theposts will be i tween the posts will be made or broken.

3.` In an electric switch', a pair oiparallel contact posts; an insulating collar von the end of one of said posts and flush with surface thereof; a conducting vmember reci-provcably'amounted upon said posts; and means ntor reciprocatingsaid member, whereby the electrical circuit between the posts will be made or broken.

4. In an electric-switch, a pair ot parallel Contact posts; -an ii'isulating` collar on one of posts conduct4 memberV having loops 'reciprofeably engaging 'said posts, and.

means for reciprocating said member, whereby the electrical circuit between the posts will be made or broken.

5. In an electric switch, a pair of cylindrical parallel contact posts; an insulating collar inset in one of said posts and extending approximately half the length of said post; a conducting member having loops reciprocably engaging said posts, said loops being less in width than half the lengthv of said posts; and means for reciprocating said member, whereby the electrical circuit between the posts will be made or broken.

6. In an electric switch, a pair of parallel contact posts; an insulating collar inset in one of said posts; a conducting .band looped around said posts and reciprocably enga-ging same; and means for reciprocating said band upon said posts. whereby the electrical circuit between posts will be made or broken.

7. In an electric switch, a pair of cylindrical parallel contact posts; an insulating collar inset in one of said posts and extending approximately halt the length thereof; a conducting band looped around said posts and reciprocably engaging same; said band being less in width than halt the length of said posts; and means for reciprocating said band upon said posts, whereby the electrical circuit between contacts will be made or broken.

8. An electric switch, comprising a support; a head on one end of said support; a pair of parallel Contact posts in said head parallel with the axis of said support; and one of said contacts having an insulating member inset in one end; a conducting member reciprocably engaging said contacts; and a rod extending through said support and engaging said conducting member; whereby as said rod is reciprocated the conducting member will be moved t0 make or break the electrical circuit between contacts.

9. An electric switch, comprising a support; a hollow head on said support; a pair of cylindrical parallel contact posts mounted within said head; one of said posts having an insulating collar inset in one end; a conducting member having loops reciprocably engaging said posts; and a reciprocable rod extending through said support and engaging said member, whereby as the rod is reciprocated the member will be moved to make or break the electrical circuit between said posts.

10. An electric switch, comprising a support, a hollow head on said support; a pair of parallel contact posts mounted within said head; one of said posts having an4 insulating collar inset in one end; a conducting member having loops reciprocably engaging said posts, a reciprocable rod extending through said support; and a U- shaped member mounted on said rod, said make or break the electrical circuit between posts. f

ll. An electric switch, comp-rising a support, a hollow head on one end of said support and coaxial therewith; a pair of parallel contact posts mounted within said head and insulated there/from; one of said posts having an insulating collar inset in one end; a conducting member having loops reciprocably engaging said posts, a reciprocable rod extending through said support; and a U-shaped member mountedon the inner end of said rod and insulated therefrom, said U-shaped member having opposed perforations in its legs Jfor the reception of vsaid conducting member, whereby as said rod is reciprocated the conducting member will be moved to make or break the electrical circuit between posts. Y y l2. An 'electric switch of the character specified, comprising a supporting member; means for securing said member to a dashboard; a cup-shaped head on said support; an insulating plate at the outer end of said head; a pair of parallel contact posts mounted on said plate and disposed parallel to the axis of said supporting member; one of said postshaving an insulating collar inset in one end; a conducting member having loops reciprocably engaging said posts; a rod extending through said supporting member; and a U-shaped member mounted on the inner end of said rod, said U-shaped member carrying the conducting member in opposed per'forations in the legs thereof, whereby as said rod is reciprocated the conducting member will make or break the electrical circuit between said posts.

13. An electric switch of the character specified, comprising an externally threaded supporting member; means for securing said member to a dash board; a cup-shaped head on one end of said support; an insulating plate at the outer end of said head; a pair of parallel contact posts mounted on said plate and disposed parallel to the axis of said supporting member; one of said posts having an insulating collar inset in one end; a conducting member having loops reciprocably engaging said posts; a rod extending through said supporting member; and a U-shaped member mounted on the inner endv of said rod and insulated therefrom, said U-shaped member carrying the conducting member' in opposed perforations in the legs thereof, whereby as said rod is re-V ciprocated the conducting member will make or break the electrical circuit between said posts.

M An electric switch of the character specified; comprising an externally threaded @membemrnuts @neas-ins the'ead member t0 secure it to a ldash board; a grip-,shaped head mounted on one end of said threaded -member; an insulating plate mounted in the outer end of said head; a pair of parallel Contact posts mounted on said plate and disposed parallel with the axis of said threaded ,memberg an insulating collar inset in the end of one post and extending approximately halfthe length of said post; a metalliorbafnd looped varound said posts and re oiproeably engaging same; a reeiprooable rod extendingthrough said threaded member; and a U-shaped member mounted on the inner end oi' said rod, said U-shaped ,member Carrying the conducting member in opposed slot-s: `in the legs thereof, whereby ,as rod isreeiproeated the hand will make or break the. electrical oirouit between said posts.

l5. ,leetrie switch of .the oharaeter Speeed; '@,Qmrrses en. externally threaded member; nuts engaging the said member to secure it tov adash board; a cup-shaped head 011 one and. 0fadthr-eaded member and oo-aXial therewith; an insulating plate mounted'in the outer end of saidhead; a pair of parallel oontaot posts mounted on said plate and disposed parallelto the axis of said threaded member; an insulating collar inset in the end of one post and eX- tending approximately half the length of said post; a metallic band looped around said posts and reeiprocably engaging saine.; said band being less in width than halt the lengtli of said posts; a reoiproeable rod eX- tending throughsaid Ithreaded member; and a U-shaped member mountedon thevinner kend ofsaid rod and insulated .the'refrom, said U-shaped member Carrying the conthereof, whereby asv said rod isreoiproeated the band will .make or break'the 'electrical circuit between said posts.

In testimony that I elaim the foregoing as myown, I aiiixviny signature.

AQNGUS R1. GROSS- ducting member in opposed slots in the legs I 

